LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                                   Austin, Texas
         
                                   FISCAL NOTE
                               75th Regular Session
         
                                  March 7, 1997
         
         
      TO: Honorable Clyde Alexander, Chair            IN RE:  House Bill No. 1524
          Committee on Transportation                              By: Siebert
          House
          Austin, Texas
         
         
         
         
         FROM:  John Keel, Director    
         
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB1524 ( Relating 
to the weight of vehicles transporting recyclable materials.) 
this office has detemined the following:
         
         Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB1524-As Introduced
         
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net 
impact of $0 to General Revenue Related Funds through the biennium 
ending August 31, 1999.
         

         
 
Fiscal Analysis
 
The bill would amend Chapter 622 of the Transportation Code 
to add Subchapter J, which would set axle-load restrictions 
for vehicles transporting recyclable materials and prohibit 
certain vehicles on interstate highways unless federal weight 
limits were increased. 
 
Methodolgy
 
The Department of Transportation estimates assume that by not 
specifying an axle spacing and by removing the current roll-off 
restriction, it would greatly increase the number and types 
of vehicles that can carry recyclable materials to include dump 
trucks.

TxDot estimates that due to the increased numbers 
of vehicles and the weight of the vehicles on the bridges, on 
and off the state system, damage to the bridges would also increase. 
The increased damage would come from the weight of the vehicles 
exceeding the design and construction standards of the bridges.
The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions 
of the bill during each of the first five years following passage 
is estimated as follows:
 
Five Year Impact:
 
Fiscal Year Probable           
            Savings/(Cost)                                                                                
            from State                                                                                    
            Highway Fund                                                                                  
            0006                                                                                           
       1998      ($1,122,107)                                                                        
       1998       (1,122,107)                                                                        
       2000       (1,122,107)                                                                        
       2001       (1,122,107)                                                                        
       2002       (1,122,107)                                                                        
 
 
         Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
 
The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds 
during each of the first five years is estimated as follows:
 
              Fiscal Year      Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
                               General Revenue Related Funds
                                             Funds
               1998                   $0
               1999                    0
               2000                    0
               2001                    0
               2002                    0
 
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as 
the provisions of the bill are in effect.
          
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government 
is anticipated.
          
   Source:            Agencies:   304   Comptroller of Public Accounts
                                         601   Department of Transportation
                                         
                      LBB Staff:   JK ,PE ,ML